County At Odds With Casselberry Over Access Road

August 13, 1989|By Nancy Imperiale of The Sentinel Staff

CASSELBERRY — To build a street or not to build a street, that is the question.

Casselberry and Seminole County officials differ on the need to build another access road into Newport Colony Apartments, a proposed 426-unit complex within city limits on nearly 45 acres at the corner of Cassel Creek Boulevard and State Road 436.

The city departments of engineering, fire, police and planning have all recommended that access to the development be available from both Cassel Creek Boulevard and Derbyshire Road. They have safety concerns and want to prevent traffic congestion on Cassel Creek Boulevard.

Residents of Cassel Creek Condominiums, a 20-unit development next to the proposed site, use Cassel Creek Boulevard to enter and exit the property.

But residents of nearby subdivisions in unincorporated Seminole County - including Forest Brook, Dommerich Hills and Indian Hills - oppose any plan that would put more traffic on Derbyshire Road and other connecting roads.

They have enlisted the help of Seminole County Commissioner Sandra Glenn. She wrote the city a letter saying the county opposed the additional entrance because it would clog roads used by county residents.

But city council members, particularly council member Frank Schutte, have said they must protect the rights of Casselberry residents, including future residents of the proposed apartments who will need more than one road leading into their complex.

Several compromises have been proposed, including a lightweight wall that could be knocked down by firefighters or others needing emergency access to the apartments, an electronic gate on the Derbyshire entrance to discourage traffic from non-residents, or splitting the property to allow only half the population to enter and exit on Derbyshire Road.

The city council, which must vote on the preliminary subdivision plan, has debated the issue but has not acted. No action is scheduled for Monday's council meeting, but council members are expected to return to the issue soon.